Comments on: How to Assemble the Ultimate Tech Toolkit http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/ A Weblog for Emerging Computer Technicians Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:50:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: wedgeim http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/comment-page-1/#comment-657 wedgeim Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:56:20 +0000 #comment-657 good article, not sure you all that junk to you job but some of it is handy. good article, not sure you all that junk to you job but some of it is handy.

]]> By: Jake Rocheleau http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/comment-page-1/#comment-577 Jake Rocheleau Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:26:22 +0000 #comment-577 Great article, really enjoyed the read! After working at Geek Squad for some time, I find these articles about IT tech support really great. Great article, really enjoyed the read! After working at Geek Squad for some time, I find these articles about IT tech support really great.

]]> By: Rei http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/comment-page-1/#comment-549 Rei Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:25:44 +0000 #comment-549 WTF? There's no flashlight on here!! LOL! I used to use a Mini-Maglite flashlight with an upgraded LED bulb, but switched to a stubby, 9 LED light with a depression switch on the back to turn it on. I't much brighter and fits into tight spaces better. I agree with the small CD case to carry around UBCD4WIN, Gnome Partition Editor etc. I also like to carry assorted Windows installation CDs since people lose theirs a lot/ never had one. I carry Ubuntu and Kubuntu CDs to, for when people finally get fed up with Windows, or for putting an OS on PCs I put together out of parts. I also carry an assortment of extra screws and small boxes to keep screws I take out organized and safe. A precision screwdriver set has come in handy many times for me as well. Other things not listed here that I have in my kit are a cabled USB hub for working on older systems with no front USB so I don't have to crawl behind the desk every time I need to plug in a USB device or my thumb drive of software tools, and 6inch ethernet cables for cabling modem and routers. Easy to make and easy to sell someone for a few bucks when I clean up their cabling as I'm finishing my work. A receptacle tester for wall outlets is also useful, as are a small nut driver, and a small magnifying glass for reading tiny print on parts. I also have a toothbrush, for cleaning off really grimy heatsinks and what not and one of those little dusters that uses 16G CO2 cartridges. It's easier to carry in a kit than canned air. Finally, I carry a USB Wi-Fi dongle for troublshooting network adapters and my Asus EEE 1000HE, which is much easier to carry around than a full sized lappy and is just the thing for Googling and downloading drivers and applications if their connection is slow. And of course I always carry my business cards! I leave two or three with them and tell them that if they ever need help again or know someone who does give me a call! :) WTF? There’s no flashlight on here!! LOL!

I used to use a Mini-Maglite flashlight with an upgraded LED bulb, but switched to a stubby, 9 LED light with a depression switch on the back to turn it on. I’t much brighter and fits into tight spaces better.

I agree with the small CD case to carry around UBCD4WIN, Gnome Partition Editor etc. I also like to carry assorted Windows installation CDs since people lose theirs a lot/ never had one. I carry Ubuntu and Kubuntu CDs to, for when people finally get fed up with Windows, or for putting an OS on PCs I put together out of parts.

I also carry an assortment of extra screws and small boxes to keep screws I take out organized and safe.

A precision screwdriver set has come in handy many times for me as well.

Other things not listed here that I have in my kit are a cabled USB hub for working on older systems with no front USB so I don’t have to crawl behind the desk every time I need to plug in a USB device or my thumb drive of software tools, and 6inch ethernet cables for cabling modem and routers. Easy to make and easy to sell someone for a few bucks when I clean up their cabling as I’m finishing my work.

A receptacle tester for wall outlets is also useful, as are a small nut driver, and a small magnifying glass for reading tiny print on parts.

I also have a toothbrush, for cleaning off really grimy heatsinks and what not and one of those little dusters that uses 16G CO2 cartridges. It’s easier to carry in a kit than canned air.

Finally, I carry a USB Wi-Fi dongle for troublshooting network adapters and my Asus EEE 1000HE, which is much easier to carry around than a full sized lappy and is just the thing for Googling and downloading drivers and applications if their connection is slow.

And of course I always carry my business cards! I leave two or three with them and tell them that if they ever need help again or know someone who does give me a call! :)

]]> By: Brian http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/comment-page-1/#comment-526 Brian Fri, 01 May 2009 23:28:14 +0000 #comment-526 Read the reviews on these items before you buy them as most of this list is crap. Read the reviews on these items before you buy them as most of this list is crap.

]]> By: יאיר טנדלר http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/comment-page-1/#comment-513 יאיר טנדלר Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:33:54 +0000 #comment-513 Great list of tools, Can't wait until you make the software ver Great list of tools, Can’t wait until you make the software ver

]]> By: BROWNCOAT http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/comment-page-1/#comment-467 BROWNCOAT Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:59:02 +0000 #comment-467 I work with timber as well as PC's, and there's a HUGE difference between German made and Chinese (even US) grade tools Great list of tools, but the problem I have with a majority of them is that they are not commercial grade. Cheap chinese crap, not reliable and will not last. . . .are there any alternatives (particularly the first two). I work with timber as well as PC’s, and there’s a HUGE difference between German made and Chinese (even US) grade tools

Great list of tools, but the problem I have with a majority of them is that they are not commercial grade. Cheap chinese crap, not reliable and will not last. . . .are there any alternatives (particularly the first two).

]]> By: TWX http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/comment-page-1/#comment-464 TWX Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:02:30 +0000 #comment-464 Heh. I carry a $6.00 ratcheting screwdriver with six bits. I regularly use the #2 philips, and occasionally use a T-15 or a small flat-head bit. I occasionally bring a small diagonal cutter if I know in advance that I'll need one. Other than software and the parts that the workorder calls for that's it. I used to carry a Jensen toolbag but realised that I don't need 95% of that crap, and that a #2 philips will let me solve almost all problems. Carrying all of this stuff is generally a waste of time. Heh. I carry a $6.00 ratcheting screwdriver with six bits. I regularly use the #2 philips, and occasionally use a T-15 or a small flat-head bit. I occasionally bring a small diagonal cutter if I know in advance that I’ll need one.

Other than software and the parts that the workorder calls for that’s it. I used to carry a Jensen toolbag but realised that I don’t need 95% of that crap, and that a #2 philips will let me solve almost all problems. Carrying all of this stuff is generally a waste of time.

]]> By: Bill http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/comment-page-1/#comment-441 Bill Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:18:43 +0000 #comment-441 No kvm switch? Also a usb to PS2 Keyboard/mouse adaptor isn't very useful if you carry a usb keyboard (and presumably a small mouse that is not mentioned). A decent capacity thumb drive is a better Idea than the pre-built 2.5" external drive, as powering it from usb is borderline (ie. you might find it needs 2 ports, or wont work at all) and you have a sata/ide adaptor anyway if you need lots of storage. A pen knife and a thumb drive is sensible, because flash memory gets cheaper and pen knives don't (also, you may need to fly). Magnets on a stick and screws dropped on or around computer component doesnt sound like that great an idea either. I personally like to use a stick with a little grabber on the end. No kvm switch?
Also a usb to PS2 Keyboard/mouse adaptor isn’t very useful if you carry a usb keyboard (and presumably a small mouse that is not mentioned).
A decent capacity thumb drive is a better Idea than the pre-built 2.5″ external drive, as powering it from usb is borderline (ie. you might find it needs 2 ports, or wont work at all) and you have a sata/ide adaptor anyway if you need lots of storage.
A pen knife and a thumb drive is sensible, because flash memory gets cheaper and pen knives don’t (also, you may need to fly).
Magnets on a stick and screws dropped on or around computer component doesnt sound like that great an idea either. I personally like to use a stick with a little grabber on the end.

]]> By: RatFink http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/comment-page-1/#comment-436 RatFink Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:35:42 +0000 #comment-436 For the soldering iron, when I need cordless I go with the Weller Portasol Pro/Technic. It's butane so you need to be careful of your environment but the 6-11W that a battery powered unit will give you just won't cut it for dealing with wires, assemblies and parts soldered on a large copper pour. It also give you hot air which is prefect for SMD work. As for corded i still carry around a cheap xytronic 258 when I have to do on-site repairs. It's simple and gets the job done, only downside is it has a thick cable and can get cumbersome if you aren't used it it. For the soldering iron, when I need cordless I go with the Weller Portasol Pro/Technic. It’s butane so you need to be careful of your environment but the 6-11W that a battery powered unit will give you just won’t cut it for dealing with wires, assemblies and parts soldered on a large copper pour. It also give you hot air which is prefect for SMD work.

As for corded i still carry around a cheap xytronic 258 when I have to do on-site repairs. It’s simple and gets the job done, only downside is it has a thick cable and can get cumbersome if you aren’t used it it.

]]> By: Jon http://www.emergingtechs.com/posts/how-assemble-ultimate-tech-toolkit/comment-page-1/#comment-430 Jon Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:32:19 +0000 #comment-430 I work on computers regularly too and one thing nobody has mentioned is something I'm sure we all use. A good selection of cable ties (zip ties of different sizes) and side cutters (not pliers!) to trim them can be invaluable for cable management in computers and networking situations where airflow, neatness and ease of identification are paramount. A digital camera can also prove useful to those of us that regularly return parts to manufacturers, so that any faulty parts can be shot and documented. Also the most (!) important part of any techie's toolkit is the good old notepad and pen. I need to write stuff down constantly whether it be serial numbers, windows activation keys, or tech reports. Nobody can discount the importance of writing material :) I work on computers regularly too and one thing nobody has mentioned is something I’m sure we all use. A good selection of cable ties (zip ties of different sizes) and side cutters (not pliers!) to trim them can be invaluable for cable management in computers and networking situations where airflow, neatness and ease of identification are paramount. A digital camera can also prove useful to those of us that regularly return parts to manufacturers, so that any faulty parts can be shot and documented.

Also the most (!) important part of any techie’s toolkit is the good old notepad and pen. I need to write stuff down constantly whether it be serial numbers, windows activation keys, or tech reports. Nobody can discount the importance of writing material :)

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